Heat and air only blow from defrost vents?

Tiny
BOOBEAR19
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I turn Heat or air on, and it will only blow from defrost vents. What is wrong?
Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 5:37 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If you are only getting airflow through the defroster, which is in a default mode. Air flow direction is controlled by a mode door actuator. On this vehicle, it is actuated by an engine vacuum. I suspect you have a leak and there isn't enough vacuum to change the airflow direction or the actuator itself has failed. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

Pic 1 below is the vacuum schematic for your vehicle. Pic 2 shows where the actuators are located for airflow direction. Pic 3 shows the vacuum supply from the driver's side of the engine to a vacuum tank and through the firewall into the controller. I suspect one of these lines is broken, disconnected, or cracked.

With the engine running, listen for a hissing sound that may indicate a leak. If you hear none, then start at the engine and work your way into the vehicle to see if there are any issues.

Since it is in default, my first suspect is between the engine and the controller or at the controller itself.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 9:57 PM

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